Bleeding Edge: Elliot Security (Elliot Security Series Book 2) by Evie Mitchell (short story to read .txt) 📗

friend. You’re practically family. And now it’s bigger than just you. You were the catalyst, but there are other people involved. It’s bigger than just your life.”

My chin wobbled, but I nodded, sniffing.

“Good. Now go find your lover boy and get him to kiss you better.” His lips quirked. “I’m off to do what I do best.”

“Eat too much?”

He laughed. “Save the day.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Emmie

We arrived home to Kel getting ready to exit Luc’s house. I paused in the doorway, coat half-off.

“Kel?”

“Hey, babe.” She came over, a quick hug for me, a kiss on the cheek for Luc, handing over his keys. “Everything’s set. Have fun you two.”

Her eyes shining with amusement, she disappeared out the front door with a wave of her long fingers.

“What’s going on?”

Luc ignored the question, instead turning to lock the door.

“Luc?”

He made a small non-committal sound in the back of his throat and gestured for me to take off my coat, before disappearing into the house. I made a small sound in the back of my throat, one which eloquently described what I thought of this treatment before jerking the coat off and tossing it on his stand.

I paused in the mouth of his lounge room. The TV had been shifted to the side of the room, making way for a projector. Pillows, cushions, and blankets were strewn across the floor and piled upon mattresses to create a nest of comfort. An esky full of cans of soft drink and chocolate bars sat off to the side, chilling on a bed of ice.

“What…?”

“High school.” Luc stood amongst the pillows looking way too pleased with himself. “I can’t take you to a drive-in because The Man has shut them all down, but I can bring a movie marathon to you.”

My stomach dropped, and I felt a little like I was falling. It wasn’t an entirely unpleasant experience. On the contrary, it felt like living. Like I’d stopped existing and had finally begun participating in life.

My lips curved up to answer his infectious grin. “And what is the dress code for this fancy shindig?”

“Skimpy lingerie.” His quick reply had me laughing.

“Try again.”

“Nudist beach.”

“Nuh-uh.”

“Lumberjack?”

“Ohh! Sexy.” I laughed, turning to go change.

“Emmie.”

I paused, glancing over my shoulder.

“Be serious. Today was shit. We don’t have to do this tonight if you don’t want to. Is this okay?”

“Oh, yes.” I let him hear just how much this meant. I wanted this. I wanted the teasing, the normality, the wooing. “You have no idea how okay this is.”

His eyes warmed, and the grin slowly came back. “Good. Now, go have a bath, warm up, and when you’re out we’ll order pizza and watch dinner and pig out until we’re both fat little piggies.” He made shooing motions with his hands. “Go!”

I smiled. “Going!”

“I suggest taking the phone!”

“I’m not taking nudes!” I called back, walking away.

“Ha! The camera is disabled smartarse!”

I giggled. “See? I don’t need it.”

“Just take it!”

On cue the phone dinged. I opened the notification. Luc had shared a new playlist with me- Cliché Mixtape.

I smiled.

The power of Luc was his joy. He loved to laugh. He loved to make people laugh. He charmed everyone, and I’d fallen under his spell.

After relaxing in the bath (in which I’d spent half the time alternating between swooning and giggling at Luc’s music selections) I’d dressed in comfortable PJs and come back out to the lounge room. Luc had pizza laid out and a movie I’d never seen ready to go.

He rubbed his hands together, grinning. “Ready?”

“For?” I asked, taking a slice of pizza.

“The best movie ever created! Evvvv-ah.”

I rolled my eyes. “Puh-lease. Everyone knows the best movie ever created is Wolf Children.”

“I… have no idea what that is but get ready to be proved wrong.”

I sat cross-legged on the pillow pile, balancing a plate on my knee as I lifted the slice to my mouth. “Go on, then,” I said, munching on the deliciously cheesy slice. “Just try and prove me wrong.”

The movie opened. And I got lost in the utter ridiculousness

“How do you even know this?” I laughed, throwing popcorn at his head as he sang along to the opening rap.

“Men in Tights is an institution! How do you not?” he replied, pulling me under him, his fingers tickling my sides. I screamed with laughter, trying to fight him off as we wrestled. He pressed a kiss to my laughing mouth before letting me go. We settled back, still grinning, still chuckling, to watch the movie.

The power of Luc. I wasn’t thinking about David. I wasn’t thinking about working. I wasn’t thinking about running. I was thinking about lips and hands and glitter and men in very tight tights.

And perhaps that’s why when I fell asleep, I dreamt of Luc in green tights.

FYI, he looked smashing.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Luc

I’d never been opposed to the concept of domesticity. I liked the idea of waking up beside my woman, sharing breakfast, maybe going for a run together.

But this?

Sign me up.

The waffles on my plate glinted temptingly with maple syrup.

“You made me waffles?” I didn’t try to hide the glee.

Em placed another plate beside mine, slipping onto the stool. “Of course. You’re letting me stay here.”

“Wait. Are you saying you stay in my house, and I get this every weekend?”

She rolled her eyes, picking up a fork to cut through the soft pieces of carby goodness. “Maybe.”

“Well, welcome roommate, rent shall be free.” I sliced the waffle lifting the fluffy deliciousness to my mouth. I groaned, actually groaned.

I found Emmie staring at me, her mouth slightly opened.

“What?”

She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “I just”−she shrugged− “I never knew you had a breakfast fetish.”

I cut another piece, lifting it to my lips. “Oh, baby, you have no idea.”

After breakfast we sat about, Emmie reading a graphic novel, me sorting through the tasks I’d neglected that week.

Music played in the background while I sorted mail. A letter killed my mellow vibe.

Dear Luc,

It’s time.

Marie.

“Fuck.” I blew out a breath, slumping back in